Sarabande for Soprano Saxophone, Fredrik Sixten

Description

For Soprano Saxophone

The composers idea behind this piece is somewhat of a paradox: «a solo dialogue».
We speak and we think simultaneously as humans, but not do we always say what we mean or mean what we say, still we usually try to support the structures we want to express. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we dont.

To further explore these contrasts, I made use of some features of the Sarabande, a dance form which traditionally emphasizes the second beat in a 3/4 meter, and then I added an unexpected coda as a conclusion.

I have deliberately excluded dynamics, except in certain places, in order to give the performer the freedom to shape the piece according to his own mind. Nevertheless there are obvious indications in the harmonic progressions that will provide for some directions.

I have dedicated this Sarabande to Anders Paulsson, one of the finest saxophone players of our time; he comissioned the piece and gave the world premiere on March 1st 2021.